Final vote concluded in the Capital Region Gives promotion

Voting in the final round of the Capital Region Gives promotion runs from 8 a.m. Thursday to 5 p.m. Monday. Winners will be announced April 10. (Times Union archive)

Voting in the sixth round of the Capital Region Gives promotion was a tug of war between the three finalists, but the Young Actors Guild of the Capital Region pulled ahead with a late surge, receiving more than 4,500 of the 9,425 votes cast to win the Kids/Learning category.

The Young Actors Guild moves on to the final vote in the promotion, which will award $15,000 in prizes to two local nonprofits: $5,000 in cash plus $5,000 of in-kind advertising in the Times Union to the first-place winner, and $5,000 of in-kind advertising to the second-place finisher.

The following excerpts — from a few of the hundreds of nominations received — give some background about the organizations:

Chris Sayer writes of Little Brook Farm: Lynn Cross and Summer Brennan are passionate advocates for the humane treatment of all animals, with a focus on equine rescue and anti-slaughter campaigning. The work that (their) dedicated team performs is exhausting and backbreaking. They are driven by what they love to do and love for their animals.

George H. Hiddemen III writes of the USS Slater: (It) is a reminder of the opportunity that I had to give four rewarding years of my life to this country. Slater continues this opportunity for others to give back. It keeps alive the memory of the unselfishness of the tens of thousands of men and women who have given so much for this country.

Michelle Campbell writes of the Cute Syndrome Foundation: When her infant daughter began experiencing seizures, my friend Hillary desperately searched for answers. (The) diagnosis, PCDH19, (is) a rare genetic disorder that causes epilepsy and seizures in girls. Her determination to help her daughter led Hillary to start the foundation.

Darlene Chase Moessner writes of the Capital City Rescue Mission: Who provides a warm place to sleep, three nutritious meals a day and free medical care to anyone in need? The mission operates 24/7 without any state or federal funding to help those who are homeless, those with addictions or lifestyle problems or those who are simply down on their luck.

Natasha Pernicka writes of the Food Pantries: More than 67,000 people in Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties are food insecure, meaning they do not have enough resources for an adequate diet. 23,000 are infants and children. The Food Pantries now delivers 956 tons of food and provides funding for food to help our 53 food pantries provide more than 2.3 million meals annually.

Jonathan Ward writes of the Young Actors Guild: I went to YAG from the age of 13 to 18, and…those years (were) the greatest of my life. YAG was like a second home to me. Giving me guidance, friends, life lessons and a place to be me and not be judged for wanting to sing, dance and act. This program means so much to me and has made my life change for the better.

Winners will be announced April 10 in a Capital Region Gives special section, a comprehensive Times Union project to help the community connect with local nonprofits.

Readers can cast one vote per computer, phone or tablet in the poll below. Simply click on the bubble in front of the nonprofit of your choice and hit the “vote” button. (For a full list of promotion rules, click here.)

Which nonprofit do you think is most deserving of the Capital Region Gives promotion prize?

Little Brook Farm is an all volunteer non profit that provides educational programs for schools and law enforcement (classes on animal neglect/abuse. They raise awareness with a solution oriented approach towards placing animals with a long term care plan.

The Navy loves Albany, does Albany love the Navy? I was a Radioman onboard the USS Jonas Ingram DD-938 during the Bicentennial celebrations in New York in July 1976. The Ingram was the visiting ship to Albany during the celebration. The people of Albany by far were the BEST hosts at any port I ever visited. I still have photos I took from the ship of the live entertainment that waited our arrival and a million memories. I don’t remember spending a dime on liberty while we were there. It would have been insulting to turn down the offer of food and refreshments. Albany will remain in my memory forever. Keeping a museum ship in any locale is no simple feat. It takes a skilled crew to keep an active ship operational, imagine the volunteer man hours required to keep a museum ship presentable as a public attraction. My fellow Tin Can sailors support the USS Slater efforts and appreciate the support the Times Union offering these non-profits.

LITTLE BROOK FARM! This organization provides much needed rescue, education and support to combat the growing issue of commercial horse slaughter in the U.S. Horses are the most important animal to the development and growth of our Nation. They have no voice unless we provide it!

Young Actors Guild provides an amazing learning experience to many children. I have spent a lot of my life at Young Actors Guild, and every time I leave, I automatically want to go back. I’ve talked to many others and they believe the same thing. It is worthy of the money.

Without adequate and appropriate nutrition, people and particularly children, become burdened with deficits that impact every aspect of their present and future lives.

Learning and education, for example, are compromised by hunger and malnutrition. Even the most inspired teacher cannot effectively teach children who do not have the energy to learn.

Thanks to dedicated volunteers (who treat their responsibilities with full time professional focus) and to donors, every food pantry dollar is compounded in school and the workplace. What effort can be more fundamental?

Little Brook Farm does amazing things for animals….especially for horses that are abused, neglected, abandoned, injured….The rehabilitation & training programs they have for horses results in a positive impact for the communities that surround them…which includes kids, soldiers, etc. This rescue deserves all the help they can get!

The USS Slater is an inanimate object . So no matter what your politics are feeding the needy should come first .I am an artist myself but you can’t eat art and it’s looks like the rescue mission and cute are far behind .So please do the right thing and vote for the food pantry …..

I started teaching with the Young Actors Guild about 3 years ago and in YAG years I’m still a newbie. One of the first things that stood out to me about this program was how proud members were to be a part of it and how quickly/often alumni would come back. I think this speaks loads about the integrity of the program but also, that it’s just too darn fun to stay away from!

Food Pantries of the Capitol District. There are 53 pantries trying to support the needs of over 67,000 people.
Over 1/3 of these disadvantaged, are infants and children. They need your help.
Think about this as you enjoy your next meal.

So much love and dedication for our horses.. This is an awesome project, long term I hope. Children of all ages love the horse.. Hats off to all..”hands raised to forhead to SALUTE one and all… Love it.. Horses are healing and sensative…

PLEASE PLEASE VOTE FOR THE USS SLATER
I served on The USS 369 Thaddus Parker a DE and know about
the USS SLATER ….. Let us never forget the price of FREEDOM
American Blood ………..That is PRICELESS so Vote with your hearts
For America and our Children ….don’t let the children down .

I voted for Capital District Rescue Mission because as it says in Matt 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me.” (40) …whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers of mine, you did for me.”

I have only been at Young Actors Guild for two years, and it has already become a big part of my life. Acting, singing, and dancing aren’t the only things taught at Young Actors Guild. Powerful life lessons are also introduced to children. I love YAG and I believe that every child interested in the performing arts should be able to live a warm experience such as this one! Vote for Young Actors Guild!!!